Cosmetic formulations of having high aqueous solubility and low flash points

ABSTRACT

The invention provides compositions comprising
         a) at least one quaternary ammonium compound, and   b) at least one polyhydric alcohol having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.       

     The compositions have low setting points, good solubility and dispersibility in aqueous media and a low flash point.

The invention relates to compositions comprising quaternary ammoniumcompounds which have a low setting point, good solubility ordispersibility in aqueous media and a low flash point and are thushighly suitable for formulating quaternary ammonium compounds.

Cosmetic compositions, such as, for example, hair-treatmentcompositions, often comprise sparingly water-soluble quaternary ammoniumcompounds which have a long-chain alkyl or alkenyl group. Suchcompositions are usually formulated as aqueous dispersions, emulsions,microemulsions, gels or else in aerosol form and are used, for example,as shampoos, hair cures, hair rinses, etc.

For the manufacturer of such compositions, it is highly advantageous toprepare the quaternary ammonium compounds as compounded materials orformulations in the form of flakes, pellets or pastes which, as well ashaving a high cationic active ingredient content, have a low settingpoint and good solubility or dispersibility in aqueous media.

In accordance with the prior art, the above requirements can be achievedby adding short-chain alcohols, in particular isopropanol, in amounts offrom 15 to 20% by weight. Because of their low boiling and flash points,however, such short-chain alcohols are problematical.

As described in WO 00/28950, the short-chain alcohols can be replaced bylinear fatty alcohols (e.g. cetyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, behenylalcohol or stearyl alcohol). In order to lower the setting point ormelting point of the mixtures to temperatures below 100° C., glycols,such as, for example, propylene glycol or 1,3-butanediol, areadditionally added.

WO 00/28950 further emphasizes that the fatty alcohols areadvantageously homogeneous fatty alcohols which contain less than about10% by weight of another fatty alcohol.

WO 00/28950 further explains that replacement of the short-chainalcohols by glycols without the simultaneous addition of fatty alcoholsleads to formulations which can not be pelleted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, it has now been found that compositions comprisingquaternary ammonium compounds and at least one polyhydric alcohol having5 to 12 carbon atoms have low setting and melting points, goodsolubility and dispersability in aqueous media and a low flashpoint.

Surprisingly, the compositions can be free from fatty alcohols andlinear or branched alcohols having 8 to 36 carbon atoms and arenevertheless sufficiently hard and brittle at room temperature to allowpelleting or flaking. The novel compositions are thus highly suitablefor formulating quaternary ammonium compounds.

The invention provides compositions comprising

-   -   a) at least one quaternary ammonium compound according to        formula (1)        R₁ is an unbranched or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12        to 36 carbon atoms, a group R₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)— or a group        R₅COO(CH₂)_(n)—, where R₅ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 12        to 36 carbon atoms and n is a number from 1 to 8, and    -   R₂, R₃ and R₄, independently of one another, may be identical or        different and are a —CH₃, CH₃CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂—,        —CH₂CH₂OH or —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH group and    -   X⁻ is an anion, and    -   b) at least one polyhydric alcohol having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.        In a preferred embodiment, the compositions are free from fatty        alcohols and linear or branched monoalcohols having 8 to 36        carbon atoms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The proportion of quaternary ammonium compounds a), based on thefinished compositions, is preferably 30 to 90% by weight, particularlypreferably 40 to 85% by weight, especially preferably 45 to 85% byweight, very particularly preferably 60 to 82% by weight. Surprisingly,it has been found that the compositions can advantageously have highproportions by weight of quaternary ammonium compounds a) coupled withsimultaneously low melting and setting points.

Quaternary ammonium compounds a) are preferably(C₁₂-C₃₆)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds, particularly preferably(C₁₄-C₃₀)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds, especially preferably(C₁₆-C₂₄)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds.

Particular preference is given to alkyltrimethylammonium compounds inwhich the alkyl radical is a behenyl, erucyl, cetyl or stearyl radical.The anion X⁻ in formula (1) may be any desired charge-balancing anion;preferably chloride, iodide, bromide, methosulfate, hydrogensulfate,lactate and/or citrate, particularly preferably chloride andmethosulfate.

A very particularly suitable quaternary ammonium compound a) isbehenyltrimethylammonium chloride.

The proportion of polyhydric alcohols b) is, based on the finishedcompositions, preferably 10 to 70% by weight, particularly preferably 15to 60% by weight, especially preferably 15 to 55% by weight.

Polyhydric alcohols b) are to be understood as meaning those which carryat least two OH groups in the molecule. The polyhydric alcohols b) maybe unbranched or branched and saturated or unsaturated. In addition, thepolyhydric alcohols b) can be constructed from low molecular weightpolyhydric alcohols linked via ether bridges.

Suitable polyhydric alcohols b) are preferably pentanediol, hexanediol,hexylene glycol, trimethylpentanediol, heptanediol, octanediol,nonanediol, decanediol, undecanediol, dodecanediol, diglycerol,triglycerol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol,mannitol and/or mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred polyhydric alcohols b) are 1,5-pentanediol,1,2-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol,1,2-heptanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,2-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol,1,2-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,2-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol,1,2-undecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, 1,2-dodecanediol,2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, diglycerol,triglycerol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol,mannitol and/or mixtures thereof.

Especially preferred polyhydric alcohols b) are 1,6-hexanediol,dipropylene glycol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol,2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and mixtures thereof.

Particularly advantageous application properties are exhibited bycompositions which comprise at least one polyhydric alcohol b) having 6to 8 carbon atoms, which can optionally be used together with otherpolyhydric alcohols b).

Optionally, to improve the performance properties, the compositionsaccording to the invention may comprise unbranched or branchedmonoalcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Preferred monoalcohols are ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol,isobutanol and tert-butanol, particularly preferably isopropanol.

Based on the finished compositions, the compositions preferably compriseless than 5% by weight, particularly preferably less than 3% by weight,of such monoalcohols.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions are free from unbranched orbranched monoalcohols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The compositions according to the invention preferably have settingpoints below 100° C., particularly preferably below 95° C., especiallypreferably below 90° C., very particularly preferably below 85° C.

The flash points of the compositions according to the invention arepreferably above 80° C., particularly preferably above 100° C.

The compositions according to the invention may, for example, bepellets, flakes, extrudates, pastes, compacts, powders, and alsoemulsions or dispersions.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions according to the inventionare pellets or flakes, particularly preferably pellets.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions according to the inventionare prepared by preparing a mixture comprising

-   -   i) at least one quaternary ammoniun compound a), optionally        containing a branched or unbranched monoalcohol having 1 to 4        carbon atoms,    -   ii) at least one polyhydric alcohol b) having 5 to 12 carbon        atoms and    -   iii) optionally at least one unbranched or branched monoalcohol        having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

In a preferred embodiment, the components i) to iii) are mixed and thenheated, optionally with stirring. Here, the temperature is chosen sothat the mixture is in the form of a melt. Preference is given totemperatures of from 70 to 120° C., particularly preferably 80 to 110°C. In another preferred embodiment, the component i) is introduced as amelt.

The quaternary ammonium compounds a) of component i) can be prepared ina known manner by alkylation of a tertiary amine in the presence of atleast one unbranched or branched monoalcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,preferably ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol andtert-butanol, particularly preferably isopropanol. The quaternaryammonium compounds are preferably used as pellets or particularlypreferably as powders. In a preferred embodiment, the quaternaryammonium compounds comprise less than 5% by weight, preferably less than3% by weight, of monoalcohols. In a further preferred embodiment, thequaternary ammonium compounds comprise 10 to 25% by weight ofmonoalcohols. The compositions according to the invention preferablyhave a total content of unbranched or branched monoalcohols having 1 to4 carbon atoms of less than 5% by weight, particularly preferably lessthan 3% by weight.

In a likewise preferred embodiment, the compositions according to theinvention are free from unbranched or branched monoalcohols having 1 to4 carbon atoms.

To establish the desired content of monoalcohols in the compositionsaccording to the invention, the components i) and/or iii) arecorrespondingly chosen and calculated and/or the monoalcohols arepartially or completely removed from the component i) beforehand.

In a further embodiment, the monoalcohols are subsequently removed fromthe compositions according to the invention except for the desiredresidual content. The monoalcohols are preferably stripped off at 700 to10 mbar, preferably 400 to 70 mbar, and 60 to 90° C.

The monoalcohols can also be distilled off at atmospheric pressure insuitable evaporation devices (e.g. thin-film evaporator) at temperaturesup to 120° C.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the compositions according to theinvention can also be prepared “in situ” by alkylation of

-   -   i) at least one tertiary amine NR₁R₂R₃, where R₁ is an        unbranched or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36        carbon atoms, a group R₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)— or a group R₅COO(CH₂)n—,        where R₅ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36 carbon        atoms and n is a number from 1 to 8, and R₂ and R₃,        independently of one another, may be identical or different and        are CH₃—, CH₃CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂(OH), by    -   ii) at least one alkylating agent chosen from    -   a) R₄X, where R₄ is —CH₃, CH₃CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂— or        —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH), and X is Cl, I, Br, OSO₃H or methosulfate,        and/or    -   b) ethylene oxide and an acid HX, where X is Cl, I, Br, OSO₃H,        citrate or lactate, in the presence of    -   iii) at least one polyhydric alcohol b) having 5 to 12 carbon        atoms and    -   iv) optionally at least one unbranched or branched monoalcohol        having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Preferably, in the reaction, the feed amounts of polyhydric alcohols b)and optionally unbranched or branched monoalcohols having 1 to 4 carbonatoms are chosen to correspond to the compositions already describedabove as preferred for the compositions according to the invention. Thecontents can also be adjusted by subsequent addition or removal of thecomponents.

In a preferred embodiment, no unbranched or branched monoalcohols having1 to 4 carbon atoms are used in the reaction.

The compositions according to the invention prepared by theabove-described processes can be converted as homogeneous orinhomogeneous melts by cooling into pellets, flakes, extrudates orpastes or, after cooling, be further processed to give compacts,powders, granulates, emulsions or dispersions.

The compositions are preferably further processed into pellets orflakes, particularly preferably pellets.

The compositions according to the invention are generally suitable forthe preparation of compositions comprising quaternary ammoniumcompounds.

The compositions are particularly suitable for the preparation ofcosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical compositions.

In particular, the compositions are suitable for the preparation ofhair-treatment compositions.

The invention accordingly also provides for the use of the compositionsaccording to the invention for the preparation of compositions,preferably cosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical compositions, inparticular hair-treatment compositions, comprising quaternary ammoniumcompounds.

Examples of preferred compositions are shampoos, rinse-off hairconditioners, cream rinses, clear rinses, hair cures, hair colorants andhair tints, permanent waving compositions, hair gels, hair conditionersin aerosol, spray and fluid form, 2-in-1 shower preparations, creamshower preparations, skincare compositions, day creams, night creams,care creams, nutrient creams, body lotions and ointments.

The cosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical compositions comprisethe compositions according to the invention, based on the finishedcompositions, preferably in amounts of from 0.1 to 15% by weight,particularly preferably 1 to 10% by weight, particularly preferably 1 to7% by weight.

The cosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical compositions cancomprise, as further auxiliaries and additives, all customarysurfactants, oily substances, emulsifiers and coemulsifiers, cationicpolymers, film formers, super fatting agents, moisture-donating agents,stabilizers, biogenic active ingredients, preservatives, pearlizingagents, dyes and fragrances, solvents, glycerol, hydrotropic agents,opacifiers, thickeners, dispersants, protein derivatives, such asgelatins, collagen hydrolyzates, natural and synthetic-basedpolypeptides, egg yolk, lecithin, lanolin and lanolin derivatives,silicones, deodorizing agents, substances with a keratolytic andkeratoplastic action, enzymes, carrier substances, antioxidants, UVlight protection filters, pigments and metal oxides, and antimicrobiallyeffective agents.

The surfactants used may be anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphotericand/or zwitterionic surfactants.

Preferred nonionic surfactants contain, as hydrophilic group, a polyolgroup, a polyolalkenyl ether group, or a combination of polyol andpolyglycol ether groups. Preference is given to addition products offrom 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide, 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxidetogether with up to 5 mol of propylene oxide or of up to 5 mol ofpropylene oxide onto linear fatty alcohols having 8 to 22 carbon atomsand alkylphenols having 8 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group,(C₁₂-C₁₉)-fatty acid mono- and diesters of addition products of from 1to 30 mol of ethylene oxide onto glycerol, glycerol mono- and diestersand sorbitan mono- and diesters of saturated and unsaturated(C₈-C₁₈)-fatty acids and ethylene oxide addition products thereof,(C₈-C₁₈)-alkylmono- and oligoglycosides and ethoxylated analogs thereof,addition products of from 10 to 60 mol of ethylene oxide onto castor oiland hydrogenated castor oil, ethoxylated and nonethoxylated mono-, di-and trialkyl monophosphoric esters, in particular mono-, di- andtri(lauryl tetraglycol ether) o-phosphoric esters and mono-, di- andtri(cetyl tetraglycol ether) o-phosphoric esters.

Preferred amphoteric surfactants carry a (C₈-C₁₈)-alkyl or acyl groupand at least one free amino group and at least one —COOH or —SO₃H group.Preference is given to N-acylglycines, N-alkylpropionic acid,N-alkylaminobutyric acids, N-alkyliminodipropionic acids,N-hydroxyethyl-N-alkylamidopropylglycines, N-alkyltaurines,N-alkylsarcosines, 2-alkylaminopropionic acids and alkylaminoaceticacids having in each case 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group.Particular preference is given to N-cocoalkylaminopropionate,cocoacylaminoethylaminopropionate and (C₁₂-C₁₈)-alkylsarcosines.

Particularly suitable zwitterionic surfactants are betaines, such as,for example, N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylammonium glycinates, e.g.cocoalkyldimethylammonium glycinates,N-acylaminopropyl-N-N-dimethylammonium glycinates, e.g.cocoacylaminopropyldimethylammonium glycinate,2-alkyl-3-carboxymethyl-3-hydroxyethylimidazolines having in each case 8to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl or acyl group and cocoacylaminoethylhydroxyethylcarboxymethyl glycinate.

The compositions preferably comprise surfactant mixtures, particularpreference being given to mixtures of nonionic and zwitterionic oramphoteric surfactants in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:5 or mixturesof nonionogenic surfactants and any desired mixtures of zwitterionic andamphoteric surfactants in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:5.

Suitable oily substances are all known oils, fats and waxes of mineral,animal, vegetable and synthetic origin. Preference is given, as oil andfatty components, to diallyl ethers having a total of 12 to 24 carbonatoms, fatty acid esters having a total of 12 to 26 carbon atoms, liquidhydrocarbons having 10 to 32 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof.

Suitable fatty acid esters are, for example, methyl palmitate, ethyloleate, isopropyl myristate, n-hexyl laurate, n-butyl stearate andcetyl/stearyl isononanoate.

Particular preference is given to paraffin oils, vaseline, vegetableoils, synthetic triglycerides, such as, for example, glyceryltricaprylate, and also silicone oils.

Super fatting agents which may be used are substances such as, forexample, lanolin and lecithin, and polyethoxylated or acylated lanolinand lecithin derivatives, polyol fatty acid esters, monoglycerides andfatty acid alkanolamides.

Suitable bodying agents are fatty alcohols having 12 to 22, preferably12 to 18, carbon atoms, and also partial glycerides.

Further thickeners which may be used are polysaccharides, in particularxantham gum, guar-guar, agar-agar, alginates, carboxymethylcellulose,hydroxyethylcellulose, relatively high molecular weight polyethyleneglycol mono- and diesters of fatty acids, polyacrylates, polyvinylalcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone, surfactants such as, for example,ethoxylated fatty acid glycerides, esters of fatty acids with polyolssuch as, for example, pentaerythritol or trimethylpropane, fatty alcoholethoxylates or alkyl oligoglucosides, and electrolytes, such as sodiumchloride and ammonium chloride.

Examples of suitable silicone compounds are dimethylpolysiloxane,methylphenylpolysiloxanes, cyclic silicones, and amino-, fatty acid-,alcohol-, polyether-, epoxy-, fluorine- and/or alkyl-modified siliconecompounds which, at room temperature, may either be in liquid form or inthe form of a resin.

Biogenic active ingredients are to be understood as meaning, forexample, Bisabolol®, Allantoin®, Phytantriol®, Panthenol®, AHAs, plantextracts and vitamin complexes.

Antidandruff agents which can be used are Climbazole®, Octopirox®,Oxiconazole® and Zinc Pyrethione®.

Customary film formers are chitosan, microcrystalline chitosan,quaternized chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymers, polymers of the acrylic acid series, quaternarycellulose derivatives, collagen, hyaluronic acid and salts thereof andsimilar compounds.

To improve the flow behavior, hydrotropic agents, such as, for example,ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol or glucose, can also beused.

Suitable preservatives are, for example, phenoxyethanol, formaldehydesolution, parabens, pentanediol and sorbic acid.

An available moisture-donating substance is, for example, isopropylpalmitate, glycerol and/or sorbitol.

The total content of auxiliaries and additives in the compositions ispreferably 1 to 50% by weight, particularly preferably 5 to 40% byweight.

EXAMPLES

The examples below serve to illustrate the invention, but do not limitit.

The quat active content of the compositions according to the inventionwas determined by cation titration. The setting points were determinedby slowly reducing the temperature.

Example 1

110.54 g of ®Genamin KDMP (behenyltrimethylammonium chloride pelletswith a content of about 19% isopropanol, Clariant GmbH) were mixed into38.37 g of dipropylene glycol in a 1000 ml round-bottomed flask andmelted in an oil bath at 70-90° C. After a homogeneous melt had formed,a vacuum of initially about 700 mbar was applied on the rotaryevaporator and the isopropanol was distilled off over the course ofabout 3 hours. For this, the vacuum was continuously increased to about22 mbar. Subsequently, residues of the volatile solvent were removedover the course of 2 hours at a bath temperature of 90° C. and a vacuumof 16 mbar. This gave a clear solution which solidified at 69-73° C. andwas present in completely molten form again at 90° C. At 25° C., thecomposition was wax-like solid. The quat active content was 70% byweight.

Example 2

A composition of 75% by weight of behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, 22%by weight of dipropylene glycol and 3% by weight of isopropanol wasprepared analogously to example 1. This gave a clear solution whichsolidified at about 73-77° C. and was present in completely molten formagain at 90° C. At 25° C., the composition was wax-like solid. The quatactive content was 75% by weight.

Example 3

A composition of 75% by weight of behenyltrimethylammonium chloride,23.7% by weight of 1,6-hexanediol and 1.3% by weight of isopropanol wasprepared analogously to example 1. This gave a clear solution whichsolidified at about 71° C. and was present in completely molten formagain at 90° C. At 25° C., the composition was wax-like solid. The quatactive content was 75% by weight.

Example 4

®Genamin KDMP (behenyltrimethylammonium chloride pellets with a contentof about 19% isopropanol, Clariant GmbH) were dried to constant weightin a vacuum furnace to remove the solvent for 14 hours at a temperatureof 74° C. and a pressure of about 200 mbar (the weight loss correspondedhere to the expected amount of solvent of about 19%). The pellets driedin this way were ground to a powder and sieved (sieve width: 630 μm).4.9 g of dried and sieved behenyltrimethylammonium chloride wereintroduced into a 50 ml powder bottle made of glass and treated with 5.1g of dipropylene glycol. After the bottle had been sealed, the mixturewas heated at about 100° C. for 4 hours. During this period, the samplewas stirred a number of times using a spatula in order to homogenize themixture. This gave a clear solution which solidified at about 45° C. andwas present in completely molten form again at 70° C. The quat activecontent was 49% by weight.

Example 5

A composition comprising 49% by weight of behenyltrimethylammoniumchloride and 51% by weight of 1,6-hexanediol was prepared analogously toexample 4. This gave a clear melt which solidified at about 42° C. andwas present in completely molten form again at 70° C. At 25° C., thecomposition was wax-like solid. The quat active content was 49% byweight.

Formulation examples of cosmetic formulations:

The composition according to the invention from example 3 was melted andpelletized by being dropped onto a cold metal plate. The pelletsobtained in this way were then incorporated into the correspondingformulations.

Example 6 Cream Rinse

A Composition from Ex. 3 2% by weight  ® HOSTAPHAT KL 340 D 1.5% byweight (trilaureth-4 phosphate, Clariant) Cetyl alcohol 3% by weightParaffin oil 1% by weight B Water 92.5% by weight C Citric acid q.s.Preparation: I) Melt A at 75° C. II) Heat B to 75° C. III) Stir B into Aand cool IV) Adjust pH to pH = 4 using C

Example 7 O/W Handcream

A Composition from Ex. 3 2.7% by weight  ® HOSTACERIN DGSB 6% by weight(PEG-4 polyglycerol-2-stearate, Clariant) Paraffin oil, high viscosity10% by weight Isopropyl palmitate 10% by weight B Water 70.9% by weightPreservative q.s. C Perfume 0.4% by weight Preparation: I) Melt A at 80°C. II) Heat B to 80° C. III) Stir B into A and cool IV) Add C at 35° C.

Example 8 Hair Conditioner with Pearlescent Effect

A Composition from Ex. 3 2% by weight  ® Genamin KSL 9% by weight (PEG-5stearyl ammonium lactate, Clariant)  ® Hostaphat KL 340 D 1.5% by weight(trilaureth-4 phosphate, Clariant) Jojoba oil 1.0% by weight B  ® TyloseH 100 000 YP2 1.5% by weight (Hydroxyethylcellulose, Clariant) C Waterad 100% D Perfume 0.50% Panthenol 0.50%  ® Genapol PDC 4% by weight(Glycol distearate, laureth-4, cocamidopropyl betaine, mica and titaniumdioxide, Clariant) E Citric acid q.s. Preparation: I) A is heated to 75°C. II) B is carefully dissolved in C and heated to about 75° C. III) IIis added to I with stirring IV) Leave to cool with stirring, add D toIII at 30° C. V) Adjust pH to pH = 4 using E

1. A composition comprising a) 60 to 90 weight percent based on thecomposition of at least one quaternary ammonium compound according toformula (1)

R₁ is an unbranched or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36carbon atoms, a group R₆CONH(CH₂)_(n)— or a group R₅COO(CH₂)_(n)—, whereR₆ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36 carbon atoms and n is anumber from 1 to 8, and R₂, R₃ and R₄, independently of one another, maybe identical or different and are a —CH₃, CH₃CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂—,CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂—, CH₂CH₂OH or —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH group and X⁻ is an anion, andb) at least one polyhydric alcohol having 5 to 12 carbon atoms whereinsaid composition is in the form of a pellet or a flake and saidcomposition is essentially tree from fatty alcohols and unbranched orbranched monoalcohols having 8 to 36 carbon atoms.
 2. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the quaternary ammonium compounds a) are(C₁₂-C₃₆)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds.
 3. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the anion X⁻ in formula (1) is selected fromthe group consisting of chloride, iodide, bromide, methosulfate,hydrogensulfate, lactate, citrate, and mixtures thereof.
 4. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quaternary ammoniumcompound a) is behenyltrimethylammonium chloride.
 5. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said polyhydric alcohol b) is 10 to 40% byweight of said composition.
 6. The composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the polyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting ofpentanediol, hexanediol, hexylene glycol, trimethylpentanediol,heptanediol, octanediol, nonanediol, decanediol, undecanediol,dodecanediol, diglycerol, triglycerol, dipropylene glycol, tripropyleneglycol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, and mixtures thereof.
 7. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyhydric alcohol isselect from the group consisting of 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-pentanediol,1,6-hexanediol. 1,2-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol. 1,2-heptanediol,1,8-octanediol, 1,2-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,2-nonanediol,1,10-decanediol, 1,2-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol, 1,2-undecanediol,1,12-dodecanediol, 1,2-dodecanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol,2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, diglycerol, triglycerol, dipropyleneglycol, tripropylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, and mixturesthereof.
 8. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thepolyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of1,6-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol,2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, dipropylene glycol, and mixturesthereof.
 9. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at leastone polyhydric alcohol b) has 6 to 8 carbon atoms.
 10. The compositionas claimed in claim 1, which further comprises, based on a finishedcomposition, less than 5% by weight, of unbranched or branchedmonoalcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 11. The composition as claimedin claim 10, wherein the monoalcohols are selected from the groupconsisting of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol,tert-butanol, and mixtures thereof.
 12. The composition as claimed inclaim 1, which has a setting point below 100° C.
 13. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, which has a flash point above 80° C.
 14. A processfor the preparation of the composition of claim 1, which comprisespreparing a mixture comprising mixing i) 60 to 90 weight percent basedon the composition of at least one quaternary ammonium compound a), andii) at least one polyhydric alcohol having 5 to 12 carbon atoms, andpelletizing or flaking said mixture to provide said pellet or flake. 15.A process for the preparation of a composition as claimed in claim 1,which comprises alkylating i) at least one tertiary amine NR₁R₂R₃, whereR₁ is an unbranched or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36carbon atoms, a group R₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)— or a group R₅COO(CH₂)_(n)—, whereR₅ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36 carbon atoms and n is anumber from 1 to 8, and R₂ and R₅, independently of one another, may beidentical or different and are —CH₃, CH₃CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂—or —CH₂CH₂(OH), by ii) at least one alkylating agent chosen from a) R₄X,where R₄ is —CH₃—, CH₃CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂—, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂— or—CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH), and X is Cl, I, Br, OSO₃H or methosulfate, and/or b)ethylene oxide and an acid HX, where X is Cl, I, Br, OSO₃H, citrate orlactate, in the presence of iii) at least one polyhydric alcohol having5 to 12 carbon atoms.
 16. The composition as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe quaternary ammonium compound a) is 60 to 85% by weight of saidcomposition.
 17. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thequaternary ammonium compounds is 60 to 82% by weight of saidcomposition.
 18. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thequaternary ammonium compound a) is (C₁₄-C₂₄)-alkyltrimethylammoniumcompounds.
 19. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thequaternary ammonium compound a) is (C₁₆-C₂₄)-alkyltrimethylammoniumcompounds.
 20. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anionX⁻ in formula (1) is selected from the group consisting of chloride,methosulfate, and mixtures thereof.
 21. The composition as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the polyhydric alcohol is at least 15% by weight ofsaid composition.
 22. The composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein lessthan 3% by weight of said composition is unbranched or branchedmonoalcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 23. The composition as claimedin claim 10, wherein the monoalcohols comprise isopropanol.
 24. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, which has a setting point below 95°C.
 25. The composition as claimed in claim 1, which has a setting pointbelow 90° C.
 26. The composition as claimed in claim 1, which has asetting point below 85° C.
 27. The composition as claimed in claim 1,which has a flash point above 100° C.
 28. The composition as claimed inclaim 1, which is in a form of pellets.
 29. The process of claim 14,wherein component i) contains a branched or unbranched monoalcoholhaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms, said monoalcohol being removed fromcomponent i) prior to said mixing step.
 30. The process of claim 14,further comprising adding to the mixture at least one unbranched orbranched monoalcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and removing saidmonoalcohol from the composition alter said mixing step.
 31. The processof claim 15, further comprising alkylating said tertiary amine in thepresence of at least one unbranched or branched monoalcohol having 1 to4 carbon atoms, and removing said monoalcohol after said alkalatingstep.
 32. A cosmetic preparation comprising the composition of claim 1.33. A dermatological preparation comprising the composition of claim 1.34. A pharmaceutical preparation comprising the composition of claim 1.35. A hair-treatment preparation comprising the composition of claim 1.36. A hair-treatment composition as defined in claim 35 in the form ofshampoos, rinse-off hair conditioners, cream rinses, clear rinses, haircures, hair colorants end hair tints, permanent waving compositions,hair gels and hair conditioners in aerosol form, spray form, fluid form,and mixtures thereof.
 37. A process for treating hair comprisingcontacting hair with the hair-treatment preparation of claim 35.